What about Dozier's blades

[CAD]

His fixed blades are top notch...can't speak for the folders. I should try one someday

Chris D.

 

[22-rimfire]

I love his fixed blades. The question that I have at this point is... are his folders worth the money? I like a big pocket knife, and his folders fit that model. But the price is high.

 

[Big Mike]

Some of my sliciest blades have come out of Bob's Shop.


Dan Crotts has ground me some really fine High Hollow Grinds on Bob's D2,

...if it comes out of Bob's shop it's top self for sure.




Big Mike

 

[Feuer686]

Guess I'm a little late here, but to join in.

Most has already been said about his D2. He has perfected the heat treatment for D2 steel that gives you one of the longest lasting and durable you will find on any knife with any steel. Additionally, his edges are not only made for hard use, but also to be resharpened with relatively minimal effort. He has stated in the past that his edges are for hard use and when needed, to be brought back with resharpening relatively easily. But that isn't to say he works exclusively with D2. His Arkansas Made models occasionally come in 154CM, A2, S30V, CTS-XHP, -40CP or -BD30. The same with his Sole authorship knives, which also come in any one of the previous mentioned steels.

I love his fixed blades. The question that I have at this point is... are his folders worth the money? I like a big pocket knife, and his folders fit that model. But the price is high.

The price may be high, but then again, for a top-shelf custom maker his folder prices are relatively low. Nonetheless, worth every scent. Save the cash and buy a Dozier folder, I guarantee you will not be disappointed. If for some reason you don't like it, I, for one, would gladly take it off your hands, but also you would be able to sell it for the price you bought it in a heartbeat. I still have yet to get one of Bob's titanium folders, whether it be framelock or tab-lock. I have a hankering for one of his tab-lock Workhorse folders that won't quit.

As you've mentioned preferring a larger sized folder, the Pro Skinner folder or the DK-3 Utility would be particularly apt. If you get the chance to pull the trigger, I also recommend a belt pouch for it. His new pouch design fits his Pro Skinner folder particularly well.

The Pro Skinner folder

With mammoth handles it fills the hand very well, also in stag.

The DK-3 Utility

As far as I have witnessed in both shops - Bob's Arkansas Made standard models have primarily been made by Dan in the Springdale shop for awhile now. The folders and his sole authorship knives are made by Bob himself in his new shop in St. Paul. With the exception of some finishing work on the guards and other minor contributions, Bob still does the primary and finishing work on all of his knives. Likewise Dan on the Arkansas Made line. Bob also does the leather work for the pouches, belts, and sheaths that his sole authorship knives often come in, and can be made for his Arkansas Mades.

A standard Arkansas Made K-MH Master Hunter in leather.

Some of Bob's sole authorship work

His 1975 Design (D2 & Stag)

A Classic Drop Point hidden-tang (154CM & Desert Ironwood)

 

[22-rimfire]

Great post Feuer. You have quite the collection. I just noticed that my K-42 compact personal in CPM 154 is "Arkansas made", so I assume Dan made it. Something I didn't notice until now. It is my EDC "to be" fixed blade.

 

[Ebbtide]

"Arkansas Made" is the standard Dozier Shop stamp that they've used for years.

These are all over 10 years old and bear that mark.

Dozier and AG Russell did a short run of mid-tech knives that had a different marking to denote the mid-tech production.
Unfortunately I can't remember exactly what it was

If Bob Dozier puts his name on a knife, you can rest assured that it is a winner.

 

[Feuer686]

Thanks Rimfire I appreciate it. As your K-42 is an Arkansas Made model, it is probable that it was made by Dan, although at Bob's shop I do recall seeing many Arkansas Made pattern blanks, so there is still the possibility that Bob makes an Arkansas Made occasionally. Such as it is, Bob has stated awhile ago that Dan is a more than competent knifemaker in his own right, and has Bob's full confidence, as he will inevitably carry on the company that Bob has created. Any owner of Dan's own custom knives are definitely witnesses to his talent. I don't have any of Dan's knives yet, but I do believe sometime in the future I'll be getting one of his knives, at least one .

That K-42 is an excellent model, a really great, clean and eminently useful design from the shop. If I get the chance I hope to pounce on one if another shows up in the Featured Inventory.

 

[Feuer686]

Ebbtide, love that pic, very classy.

I vaguely recall reading in an old thread that the Arkansas Mades stamped on the handle pin rather than the blade were A.G. Russell exclusives, but I am not certain on that. That may have been a discontinued practice or it could mean something else, can't remember.

 

[Ken44]

Dozier and AG Russell did a short run of mid-tech knives that had a different marking to denote the mid-tech production.
Unfortunately I can't remember exactly what it was

Your right in they only did those for a short time for A.G. Those were stamped "Arkansas Knives"(not "Arkansas Made"), and were lazer cut, double disk ground, and then flat ground by an outside source. Then Bob would heat treat, and finish them. They were also great knives.


Bob or Dan does most all of the knives. I talked to Dan about it a few years ago at Blade, and he could pick one up and tell if he or Bob made it. He said where the edge meets the ricasso was a little differant on his, but I sure couldn't tell tell the differance. Both make a flawless knife, and are VERY consistant.

 

[Feuer686]

That's it, thanks Ken.

 

[Ankerson]

You clearly know a lot and are willing to share, which is great. But you might what to offer those qualifications and insights without having to imply that everyone else is full of BS.

The last time you "brought reality" to one of my posts was over my statement that SYKCO were coming out with some nice thin slicers. As the new owner of a Scrapmax 460, I am quite content with my version of reality.

Apologies to others for straying off topic.

I have one of his knives here...... Right now....

And it's in line for edge retention testing..... That's coming up VERY soon, and it's .025" behind the edge after reprofiling to 15 DPS, it was at 20 DPS.

And it's not the 1st one I have had in my hands over the years so I do know what his knives will do.

It really depends on what one is comparing those knives to, production knives......... or...... Another well made and designed CUSTOM knife.

 

[marthinus]

One of the best videos IMO of Bob.

[video=youtube;nI_73zvGx5Y]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI_73zvGx5Y[/video]

 

[Moosez45]

I managed to scratch a K11 Columbia River Skinner of my list of knives I've wanted this year, at Blade. Man, they are something else. Love the designs and the steel.

Also, having had a chance to meet and talk with Mr. Dozier on several occasions, I find him to be a great guy. As well, as a the folks that work in his shop.

Moose

 

[Lycosa]

A Dozier knife is still; The knife buy of the year, imo.
feuer- That's some nice collection you have there!
Rolf

 

[swe]

Like his folders a lot BUT the two liner locks I have from them have both been sent back because of bad locks. I got them back and the problem wasn´t solved. Maybe bad luck but no more Dozier liner locks for me. His tab lock is outstanding thought and his fixed bladers are top of the line.

 

[Ankerson]

Bob Dozier is one of that last few big-name makers that keeps his knives at affordable prices. His designs are fantastic, and the geometry is perfect for hunting. I would NOT use one for a camp knife, but for a hunting knife, they are great.

Ankerson is right about the D2, it does hold an edge for a very long time when used for it's intended purpose. Not as long as S90V or CPM 10V, but if you need a hunting knife and know what you are doing, Dozier's D2 will cut for a very long time before it needs sharpening. The ergonomics are what I really like, Dozier has some of the best designs out there, IMO, for a hunting knife. I field dressed a domestic hog (240 lbs), including cracking the sternum and pelvis with a Dozier, and no perceptible dulling.

One thing that is never discussed about his knives, IMO, they set the standard for fit and finish.

Yep, he does make a good knife and they work as they are supposed to given the blade and edge geometry.

 

[kurt6652]

I don't have any of his custom knives, but I do admire them. I bought the AGR tab lock trapper and it is a nice knife and a interesting lock design. I also have a spyderco gayle Bradley, which I think cutting wise would keep up with a dozier custom folder for a fraction of the cost.

 

[Ankerson]

I don't have any of his custom knives, but I do admire them. I bought the AGR tab lock trapper and it is a nice knife and a interesting lock design. I also have a spyderco gayle Bradley, which I think cutting wise would keep up with a dozier custom folder for a fraction of the cost.

A lot depends on blade and edge geometry, Dozier grinds those blades thin behind the edge and it will make a difference, a large difference.

Something like a Gayle Bradley while hollow ground is still in the .025" + range behind the edge, compare that to a Dozier that's around .015" and they would be closer than one would think.

That's the apples to oranges comparison, Production to Custom comparison that can cloud things a bit and causes a lot of the HYPE that goes around.

Take 2 knives, one in D2 and the other in M4, both the same edge and blade geometry and they won't even be in the same ballpark edge retention wise, M4 will kill D2 in direct comparison all things equal.

Like some of the Customs I have tested, yes I have seen some lower alloy steels outperform steels like S90V in Production blades, but it would be giving the wrong information to say X steel outdid Y steel when it was the knives and the large differences between them made the real difference.

Perception can be a powerful thing if all the information isn't given and the comparisons aren't on a level field and some don't really understand how large those differences really can effect the outcome and performance.

 

[james terrio]

Geometry cuts.
Steel selection imposes an upper limit on how long it cuts without chipping, rolling or wearing down. (and to a certain extent, how fine an edge it can take in the first place.)
HT can make the most of the steel's potential.

It's really that simple. There's no "magic" or (despite what some would have us believe) super-duper secrets involved.

When you start with superb geometry for a given task or range of tasks, and choose a good or great steel, and HT it at or very close to its maximum potential, you're going to end up with a great knife. By all accounts, that's exactly what Mr. Dozier has done :thumbup:

 

[Ankerson]

Geometry cuts.
Steel selection imposes an upper limit on how long it cuts without chipping, rolling or wearing down. (and to a certain extent, how fine an edge it can take in the first place.)
HT can make the most of the steel's potential.

It's really that simple. There's no "magic" or (despite what some would have us believe) super-duper secrets involved.

When you start with superb geometry for a given task or range of tasks, and choose a good or great steel, and HT it at or very close to its maximum potential, you're going to end up with a great knife. By all accounts, that's exactly what Mr. Dozier has done :thumbup:

Yep, and that's all I have been saying in the end.

Dozier knows how to grind a blade, knows what edge geometry works and he picked a steel with good edge retention that is an aggressive cutter in D2.

He could have used 154CM or later on S30V and had about the same (154CM) or better performance (S30V) than D2.

It's really less about the steel and more about his designs, blade and edge geometry.